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EMT Class > Chapter 17: Cardiovascular Emergencies > Flashcards

Chapter 17: Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards

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1
Q

circulatory system

A

aka the cardiovascular system, three major components: the heart, the blood vessels, the blood

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2
Q

cardiac conduction system

A

conductive tissue that generates electrical impulses that conduct rapidly to other heart cells

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3
Q

contractile tissue

A

enables heart muscle to contract when stimulated by electrical impulses

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4
Q

automaticity

A

the heart creates its own electrical impulses independent of the body

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5
Q

cor pulmonae

A

right-sided/right ventricular heart failure, happens when the pulmonary vessels are compressed/narrowed, increasing the force needed to pump blood through them, weakening the right ventricle over time

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6
Q

pulmonary edema

A

hypoxia and severe shortness of breath from fluid build up around the alveoli, leading to issues with gas exchange

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7
Q

myocarditis

A

infections of the heart

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8
Q

coronary arteries

A

the first two arteries to originate off of the aorta, supply the heart

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9
Q

thrombus

A

the clot that is formed in response to an injury

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10
Q

platelets

A

disk-shaped elements in the blood that are fragments of cells from bone marrow, important for clotting

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11
Q

thrombin

A

a protein responsible for activating clot formation

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12
Q

fibrin

A

protein strands that form a mesh that strengthens a clot

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13
Q

plaque

A

fatty deposit (in artery/vein)

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14
Q

dysrhythmias

A

cardiac rhythm abnormalities

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15
Q

electrocardiogram

A

ECG or EKG, a graphic representation of the heart’s electrical activity as detected from the chest wall surface

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16
Q

depolarization

A

first in the heartbeat, when electrical charges of the heart muscle change from negative to positive and cause heart muscle contraction

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17
Q

repolarization

A

the second component of the heartbeat, when the electrical charges of the heart muscle return to a resting negative charge and cause relaxation of the heart muscle

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18
Q

P wave

A

first waveform of ECG, represents depolarization (contraction) of the aorta

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19
Q

QRS complex

A

second waveform of ECG, represents the depolarization (contraction) of the ventricles and the main contraction of the heart

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20
Q

T wave

A

the third waveform of ECG, represents the repolarization (relaxation) of the ventricles

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21
Q

PR interval

A

PRI, the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex, the time it takes the heart’s electrical impulses to travel from the atria to the ventricles

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22
Q

premature ventricular complexes

A

PVC, the uncoordinated firing of electrical ventricular impulses

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23
Q

Ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach)

A

when PVCs occur in succession, displays on ECGs as steep peaks and valleys close together

24
Q

Ventricular fibrillation (VF/V-Fib)

A

shows up on ECG as smaller, uneven, disorganized peaks and valleys

25
Q

blood pressure

A

the amount of pressure exerted on the arterial wall during circulation, smaller vessels = higher blood pressure

26
Q

coronary artery disease

A

CAD, the narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries, the most common type of heart disease, responsible for more than 385,000 deaths each year (every 34 seconds someone in the US has a heart attack)

27
Q

cardiac compromise

A

the many cardiac conditions

28
Q

arteriosclerosis

A

condition that causes the smallest arterial structures to become stiff and less elastic

29
Q

atherosclerosis

A

a systemic arterial disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries, number one cause for myocardial infarctions and strokes

30
Q

acute coronary syndrome

A

ACS, results from a variety of conditions that can affect the heart in which the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded by fat deposits, clots, or spasm

31
Q

myocardial ischemia

A

a state in which there is inadequate delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle, usually is chest discomfort (chest pain) localized to the sternum area and radiating to jaw, arms, shoulders, back

32
Q

angina pectoris

A

pain in the chest, a symptom commonly associated with coronary heart disease

33
Q

unstable angina

A

angina discomfort that i prolonged and worsening or that occurs without exertion and when patient is at rest

34
Q

emergency medical care for angina

A

provide regardless of indications of an acute coronary syndrome, establish an open airway and do positive pressure ventilation if necessary, administer O2 if needed (nasal cannula), administer nitroglycerin or aspirin if indicated

35
Q

acute myocardial infarction

A

AMI, occurs when part of the heart muscle dies because of the lack of an adequate supply of oxygenated blood, aka a heart attack, typically the result of CAD

36
Q

assessment of AMI

A

similar discomfort to angina, but symptoms last longer and will not/will only partly be relieved by nitroglycerin

37
Q

aortic aneurysm

A

a weakened section of the aortic wall begins to dilate or balloon outward from the pressure exerted by the blood flowing through the vessel, occur most often in abdominal region, can lead to rupture, pain can be felt when aneurysm gets large enough

38
Q

aortic dissection

A

a tear in the inner lining of the aorta, blood enters the opening and causes separation of the layers of the aortic wall, most common in thorax, pain is most severe when dissection first occurs - “sharp, tearing, ripping”. Do not administer aspirin if suspected

39
Q

acute coronary syndrome in females

A
  • “classical” findings: dull substernal chest pain or discomfort, respiratory distress, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis
  • “nonclassical” or “atypical” findings: neck ache, pressure in check, pains in the back, breast, upper abdomen, finger tingling, unexplained fatigue or weight gain, epigastric pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia
40
Q

reperfusion

A

the restoration of blood to an area of tissue that was ischemic from low blood flow or occlusion of a vessel

41
Q

heart failure

A

when the heart can no longer adequately eject blood out of the ventricle, can be caused by heart attacks, valve disorders, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, cardiac rhythm disturbances, pregnancy, viral illnesses, certain drugs

42
Q

left ventricular failure

A

can lead to pulmonary edema from a “backup” of blood, symptoms include a drop in systolic BP, diminished or absent peripheral pulse amplitude, altered mental status, changes in the heart rate, poor urinary output, respiratory distress, inspiratory rales, possible pulmonary edema

43
Q

right ventricular failure

A

blood backs up into venous system, hypoperfused lungs leading to hypoxia or respiratory distress, jugular venous distention, peripheral edema, poor peripheral perfusion signs

44
Q

cardiogenic shock

A

when the left or right ventricle fails to pump out enough blood to meet the demands of the body

45
Q

congestive heart failure

A

CHF, a medical diagnosis, the condition in which there is a buildup of fluid in the body resulting from pump failure of the heart, when left, right, or both ventricles are failing to meet the body’s needs

46
Q

signs/symptoms of CHF

A
  • marked or severe dyspnea
  • tachycardia
  • difficulty breathing when supine
  • fatigue on any type of exertion
  • suddenly waking at night with dyspnea
  • anxiety
  • tachypnea
  • diaphoresis
  • upright pisition with feet, legs, arms, hands dangling
  • cool clammy pale skin
  • chest discomfort
  • cyanosis
  • agitation/restlessness due to hypoxia
  • edema to hands, ankles, feet
  • crackles, wheezes on auscultation
  • decreased SpO2 reading
  • signs/symptoms of pulmonary edema
  • BP can be low, normal, high
  • distended neck veins
  • distended and soft spongy abdomen
47
Q

cardiac arrest

A

when the heart is not pumping effectively or at all, no pulses can be felt

48
Q

nitroglycerin

A

most common medication for patients with known cardiac problems, a potent vasodilator

49
Q

pediatric considerations

A

typically cardiac disturbances are from congenital heart condition that the family knows about, contact medical direction ASAP to get advice. best treatment for cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is preventing it by ensuring an open airway, adequate breathing, and oxygen supplementation

50
Q

geriatric considerations

A
  • history of diabetes mellitus (hard to perceive pain)
  • history of trauma
  • history of asthma (bronchoconstriction)
  • history of COPD
51
Q

levine sign

A

patient presenting with a fist clenched over the center of their chest, an indication of severe chest discomfort

52
Q

fibrinolysis contraindications

A
  • systolic or diastolic hypertension
  • recent head or facial trauma
  • recent stroke or any history of bleeding within the cranium
  • pregnant
  • any recent trauma or surgery
  • recent history or gastrointestinal or genitourinary bleeding
  • patient taking blood thinners or one who has a clotting disorder
  • history of cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, or any other disease involving the central NS
  • suspected aortic aneurism
53
Q

percutaneous intervention

A

rapid removal of the clot (angioplasty)

54
Q

fibrinolytics

A

dissolve clot

55
Q

physical exam

A
  • pupils
  • oral cavity
  • neck
  • chest
  • lower and upper extremities
  • posterior body
56
Q

emergency medical care steps

A

1) decrease patient’s anxiety: provide calm reassurance, place them in a comfortable position
2) administer supplemental O2 if patient is dyspneic, hypoxemic, has obvious signs of heart failure, has SpO2 <94% or SpO2 unknown
3) assist patient who has prescribed nitroglycerin
4) if protocol allows administer aspirin (uncoated, chew)
5) call ALS, initiate transport

EMT Class (37 decks)

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